Rev Colin Fast was inducted as minister to Abbeygreen Church, Lesmahagow, on Friday 19th June. It was an evening of great spiritual benefit and uplift for Colin and the congregation of some 200 people who gathered on this very special occasion in the life of Abbeygreen. Rev Jonathan DeGroot led the induction service with the Rev Norman Mackay (former Interim Moderator) preaching from Isaiah 6, drawing wisdom from the prophet Isaiah on how to stay the distance with God in ministry. After the completion of worship, Colin was installed as minister of the congregation and extended the right hand of fellowship by the Presbytery.
Following formal proceedings, Abbeygreen Kirk Session led a shorter – but no less edifying – informal gathering chaired by the current Interim Moderator, Rev Dr Ben Castaneda. Opportunity was taken to thank the vacancy committee, session clerk, and interim moderators for their diligence during the three-and-a-half-year vacancy.
The Fasts were formally and warmly welcomed into the congregation by the Kirk Session, and presentations were made to Colin, his wife, Elise, and their son, Abel. After the Abbeygreen Church choir sang a song of great edification and praise, Colin was officially given the chair of the congregation. Before closing the gathering with a psalm of praise and prayer, he took the opportunity to thank various people and groups who had been a support and encouragement to him in his journey from Canada into ministry in Scotland. The meeting then closed with a time of fellowship over supper in the church hall.
The Sunday morning of induction weekend saw Colin leading the church for the first time in public worship as the minister, wherein he intimated in his sermon from Isaiah 40:6-8 that the ministry and foundation of the church should not be based on men or personalities, but the Word of God alone. The message was gladly received by all who gathered, with further fellowship shared over a church lunch.
All in all, it was a special weekend filled with joy and edification, as the church rejoiced in the union of pastor and people, brought together by the kind hand of providence from our good and gracious God.